ttt 
http://www.sleepmaster.us/
The "Sleep Master" sleep mask is the best out of all the masks I've tried. I first got it for day sleeping when I used to work night shift. Now I just use it to block out any ambient light in the bedroom. Stays on 75% of the time and it has a muffling effect on the ears. Comes with ear plugs but those are annoying(can hear heart beat)
I've tried the audio stuff. Can't say if I fell asleep fater/deeper. Felt normal. I use ZMA on occasion. Works great. Sometimes Benadryl, not often. When my mind is racing: I picture myself on the beach. I can hear the waves crashing or seagulls squawking. Works like a charm.
Sub
best mask ive used
http://www.amazon.com/Dream-Zone--Earth-Therapeutics-Sleep/dp/B000JE2C9Y/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1341809525&sr=8-2&keywords=sleep+masks
damions looks better though
Leigh,
Do you ever get super vivid nightmares when you take melatonin? Ive avoided it because two of my friends have had bad experiences with it.
Leigh,
You're thinking of serotonin. Melatonin is photophobic.
And like leigh, i do not get nightmares from it.
Thanks guys/
Ive heard of some people having awesome nightmares from it. I figured i would avoid the stuff.
Ive pretty much gotten use to getting only 5-6 hours of sleep. i dont drink caffeine and my metabolism isnt that great. I dont know what it is, my body just doesnt rest that long unless ive been drinking a lot or had a really rough day.
Maybe ill try one of those sleeping masks.
Do u guys think there's any logic too this. So when I have a kid I'm going too teach them to sleep on theyre backs because anywhere in life that u get the chance to sleep like buses or planes it's great if u can sleep on ur back not ur face like I tend to do. I have a long bus ride to work at 5 am every day and somedays it doesn't matter how tired I am I can't sleep cuz I just want to stretch out on my stomach instead of sleeping in the seated position.
MarkRobinson - Leigh,
Do you ever get super vivid nightmares when you take melatonin? Ive avoided it because two of my friends have had bad experiences with it.
Typically, my dreams are more vivid when I take it. Also more likely to lucid dream.
This is just my personal experience though. 
I guess my dreams are vivid when I take Melatonin.
I woke up one night dreaming I was in a fight, when I woke up I was elbowing the piss out of my pillow.:D
Used to sleep in total darkness back in europe (metallic blind that don't let shit go through) but for the past 10 years in the US i don't really have good blinds, so room isnt' as dark and gets bright really early.
I need to get a mask for sure.
Trying to sleep on my back more lately, i usually feel a lot more refreshed when i do, if i don't i end up sleeping on my stomach with my head turns to one side or another, not good for the neck at all.
I usually get 7 to 8 hours a night, if i had a long run or a long swim that day i need close to 9 hours though.
If my kids are sick and i can only get 4 or 5 hours i'm usually in for a day from hell unless i can squeeze a nap in.
Funny i find this thread about sleep today after what happend last nigh. Woke up at 3AM last night with the worst painfull diamond cutting hard boner i've ever had in my life, tried to wake up the wife but to no avail. Forced myself back to sleep adn woke up at 7 am in the exact same condition.
She had no excuse this time though.
Just get a nice couple of hits of some indica. You'll be asleep before you it.
Jacks Wasted Life - Look up autogenics...great for falling asleep. Mental bodyscan works very well too...focus your attention on your left foot for 2 breaths, then your right, then your left ankle and so on until you get through your whole body or fall asleep. You probably won't make it more than halfway before dropping off. <img src="/images/phone/droid.png" alt="Phone Post" border="0" style="vertical-align:middle;"/>
I do something like this. I imagine a soft blue(you can use any color) light starting at my head. As the blue light, very slowly moves down your body,you relax that part of the body as much as possible. Sometimes the blue light stays on any particular body part for a few extra seconds, just to make sure its relaxed.
I almost always fall asleep within 10 minutes of lying down and closing my eyes, but I don't think I get particularly good sleep, even getting 8 hours in a night as I'll feel tired "in the background" during the day, like I'm not performing to the best of my ability, if you understand what I'm saying?
I've attributed this to a few things;
1. I drink LOTS of Caffeine, I'll drink it right up until I close my eyes to go to sleep. I'll still fall asleep (I feel I've become desensitised to caffeine to an extent) but I imagine my CNS has trouble relaxing?
2. My body doesn't retain water well, which results in me drinking large amounts of water (5 + litres a day on top of numerous cans of caffeine rich sodas, tea and whateve else) on average I'll get up to use the toilet twice in a night.
What's the general consensus on this? am I on the right track or am I talking shit?
Jacks Wasted Life - ...Mental bodyscan works very well too...focus your attention on your left foot for 2 breaths, then your right, then your left ankle and so on until you get through your whole body or fall asleep. You probably won't make it more than halfway before dropping off. <img src="/images/phone/droid.png" alt="Phone Post" border="0" style="vertical-align:middle;"/>
Thank you for this. It works like a fucking charm. Furthest I've gotten is my calves and I'm out.
DanCrase - I almost always fall asleep within 10 minutes of lying down and closing my eyes, but I don't think I get particularly good sleep, even getting 8 hours in a night as I'll feel tired "in the background" during the day, like I'm not performing to the best of my ability, if you understand what I'm saying?
I've attributed this to a few things;
1. I drink LOTS of Caffeine, I'll drink it right up until I close my eyes to go to sleep. I'll still fall asleep (I feel I've become desensitised to caffeine to an extent) but I imagine my CNS has trouble relaxing?
2. My body doesn't retain water well, which results in me drinking large amounts of water (5 + litres a day on top of numerous cans of caffeine rich sodas, tea and whateve else) on average I'll get up to use the toilet twice in a night.
What's the general consensus on this? am I on the right track or am I talking shit?
Caffeine has a similar effect on me - if I have more than 1 cup of tea (dont drink coffee, taste makes me gag) every 3-4 hours, I start to feel really tired. But it also then affects my ability to sleep.
Also, make sure you are not being fatigued by allergies, which was the case for fucking decades with me and a gluten allergy.
Allergies; that's something I didn't think of
I'm gonna stop the caffeine after 6pm as of tonight. I don't remember the last time I didn't drink some caffeine at night...it's been years. Hopefully I won't crash out and miss the UFC!
Thanks, guys!
Doing a workout first thing in the morning (around 7am 'ish) does the trick for me.
Early/Tough workouts always work wonders i find.
If my dad has trouble falling asleep, he will eat a sandwich made with bread, mayo, a thick slice of onion & a glass of milk. He will be asleep within 5 or 10 minutes and it works every time.